How To Maintain And Clean Your Tiles

What general maintenance do tiles require? How do you keep tiles looking clean and shiny? Although tiles are hardwearing and durable by nature, they do need a little bit of care and attention to keep them looking their best.

The key to great-looking tiles is understanding the different types of tiles, their finishes and what effect that has on how you look after them. What your tiles are made from, the finish (matte, glossy, textured, etc.), and their location (wall, floor, bathroom, kitchen etc.) will all influence the recommended cleaning and maintenance.

Common Types Of Tiles Used In NZ

Understanding different types of tiles and finishes begins with what tiles are made from and how they are manufactured. On that note, let’s take a quick look at the different types of tiles commonly used here in New Zealand.

Ceramic Tiles

Easy-care and affordable, ceramic tiles are made from clay, which is “fired” or baked at hot temperatures to form the hardened final product. Ceramic tiles are glazed before firing with all sorts of colours and patterns, this glazing helps create a glass-like finish on the tile, giving them a less porous surface. Ceramic tiles are great for wall and flooring applications in places where colour, texture and design are the focus. Due to the glaze, ceramic tiles can sometimes be quite slippery when wet, but they are the easiest tile to cut, size and install.

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tiles are an incredibly durable product. They are also made from clay, but other minerals are added during manufacturing to greatly improve strength and versatility. Porcelain tiles are fired at much higher temperatures than ceramic tiles making them stronger and almost entirely non-porous, but because of the additional materials and processing, they are also more expensive. The big bonus is that porcelain tiles don’t easily chip or crack making them ideal for high-traffic areas both indoors and out. They also offer good slip-resistance properties, making them an excellent option for bathroom flooring or wet area showers.

Glass Tiles

Glass tiles are made from panes of coloured glass cut up into smaller pieces which are attached to mesh backing sheets to make installation easier. Glass tiles offer a sleek, glossy, somewhat reflective finish that is easy to clean however, they can be more delicate than ceramic or porcelain tiles and do require a little extra care. Glass tiles are most often used in splashbacks or other wall applications, they are not suitable for flooring due to their slipperiness and fragility.

Natural Stone Tiles

These types of tiles are cut or made from a range of natural materials, including solid pieces of marble, granite, limestone, basalt and travertine, or a composite mix of these materials and other additives. Natural stone tiles offer the uniqueness of a natural product, they are durable and hardwearing, and they have some excellent natural colour tones and patterns. However, they do require a little bit of extra care and maintenance (including regular sealing) and can be an expensive upfront option.

Choosing The Right Tiles

Choosing the right tile for the job is the most important part of any tile installation project. Narrowing down its application is a great place to start - wall, floor, splashback, wet room, shower, etc. It is essential to pick out the tile that best suits the required purpose while also meeting your style ideas.

Because porcelain, ceramic, stone and glass tiles each have different manufacturing methods, are made up of different things, and have a variety of different uses, slightly different cleaning and care methods are required, which also should be kept in mind when making tile choices.

Porcelain tiles, for example, are almost non-porous, which means they hold up well in wet conditions and offer superior stain-proof qualities. Ceramic tiles offer an ease of installation the others do not, along with a wide variety of aesthetically pleasing options. Glass offers a modern look and feel with very little maintenance and an easy clean finish, while stone provides a sought-after ‘natural’ look unique to your project.

8 Tile Cleaning Tips

Generally speaking, it is best to stick with good old warm water and a soft cloth when cleaning your tiles. For cleaning grout lines between your tiles, use an old soft bristled toothbrush with warm water and a baking soda paste for more stubborn stains. A mild detergent can be used if necessary however, this can often lead to soap scum being left behind and requires thorough rinsing. Read on for more top tips for cleaning tiles.

1. Never Use Abrasive Cleaning Products. Perhaps one of the most important tips for keeping your tiles looking their best is never to use stiff-bristled brushes, steel wool, scouring pads, or acid and bleach-based cleaning products designed to strip the surface. These products can scratch the surface of the tiles and, worst case remove the protective sealant, meaning your tiles will age quicker and become less stain-resistant. This goes for the grout too!

2. Invest In A Tile Specific Mop. Mopping with a standard sponge-type mop can end up applying too much water, and as you move it around, this dirty water gets naturally distributed into the grout channels (which are porous), where it will quickly result in discolouration and staining. It is best to ensure your mop isn’t distributing too much water and use something like a microfiber or chamois mop, or if your tiles and grout are reasonable new you could invest in a steam mop. These make short work of floor tiles, and there is no need for any additional cleaning agents as the steam automatically disinfects for you. You can also use the mop wall tiles too!

3. Clean Tiles Regularly. One of the easiest ways to keep your floor tiles looking fresh is to vacuum regularly. This removes dirt and dust before it has a chance to settle in and build up. Be sure to use the hard-floor or tile-specific attachment on your vacuum cleaner as this prevents scratching and damage from pushing grit across the tile surface.

4. Don’t Allow Tiles To Air Dry. Leaving your tiles to air-dry might mean you end up with water spots or discolouration on the surface of the tiles. This is because water tends to form into spots as it dries naturally on the tiles, always dry tiles with a soft, clean cloth soon after you’ve mopped or wiped them down.

5. Don’t Leave Stains To Set. As soon as you notice spills, drips or other foreign matter on your tiles – wipe it up straight away. If you let them sit, dry up or settle in, they are more likely to become permanent stains. Stubborn stains on floors and walls are best attended to by professionals, don’t try to use increasingly harsh chemicals or strong brushes, you will just make it worse over the longer term.

6. Don’t Forget The Grout! Tile cleaning includes cleaning the grout between the tiles. Discoloured or dirty grout is the main reason for poor appearance in tiled areas. It is very important to use a soft-bristled brush like a toothbrush to avoid scratching the neighbouring tiles, try pairing this with a baking soda paste for a home-made approach. Sealing the grout regularly is also essential to prevent water penetration and the associated stains.

7. Don’t Use Soap. Soap and many detergents or products containing soap have the ability to leave a thin film of soap scum behind on the surface of your tiles if they aren’t properly rinsed. This layer of soap can trap dirt, grime and bacteria, which can build up over time, causing tiles to appear stained or even give the appearance of a change of colour.

8. Call The Professionals. Damaged or broken tiles? Badly discoloured grout? Stained tiles? Call the professionals! It is always best to have any damaged, broken or stained tiles removed and replaced by a professional tiler, they can also provide you with great advice on cleaning products and grout removal and replacement if necessary.

Cleaning Tiles In Shower Areas

Tiled wet areas and showers require a little more effort when it comes to regular cleaning. This is to avoid the build-up of soap scum, body oils and water residue. Start by using a squeegee for the shower walls/floor after each use (this helps to dry them out faster), plus leaving the window open or extractor fan running a bit longer than usual also helps (as does leaving the shower door slightly ajar).

Use shower tile-specific cleaning products and a soft sponge (scratch-resistant) to gently wipe clean the tiles and grout at least 2 -3 times per week. For help with which products to use, contact your local tiler or tiling store.

Treat the walls and floor with a tile and grout sealer every 12 months or more if the shower is high-use. If you find black mould developing in the grout lines or sealant, it is time to call in the professionals and get it sorted quickly before it spreads.

Understanding how to care for and maintain your tiles will help keep your bathroom, kitchen and laundry looking great for years to come! Get in touch with Tiling Solution Christchurch for professional residential and commercial tiling services and more in-depth advice on maintaining and cleaning your tiles.